I have not been able to ride the last couple of week. Last weekend the wife was away and I was left on my own with the kids this weekend I have the run melbourne 10km so it will be back to it next week. On the weekend of the 28th & 29th I am planning another double up. My usual 60km on saturday and then a 145km ride on Sunday. Safe to say I might be a tad sore on the Monday but a 200km weekend is all part of the planedit: just been invited to my mates daughter's first birthday on the 29th D'oH I will have to find another Sunday to get a leave pass

Got up early yesterday, 5am, got the gear on, had brekky, loaded up some winners bars in the back pocket and went out to the garage for my morning ride....FLAT TIRE....that just ticked me off no end...decided to not fix the flat in case I woke anyone in the house (bedroom backs on to garage), the morning was beautiful, had to take No.1 daughter for a driving lesson then fixed flat and decided to head out at 1pm....Rode to Healsville, Yarra Glen and then home...it was cold, it rained, there was Hail, the wind on those country roads just did not abate at all. Finally the sun came out with 5mins to go and go figure stayed out for the next hour after I had finished....I love riding...75kM done and dusted (actually it was too wet for dust, more like mud)

Think I need to avoid some of the back roads I took, Edwards Road is just to narrow for my liking. Might try and head from Yarra Glen to Paton Hill next week, might pack my shoe boots for the ride.

OldnSlow wrote:Got up early yesterday, 5am, got the gear on, had brekky, loaded up some winners bars in the back pocket and went out to the garage for my morning ride....FLAT TIRE....that just ticked me off no end...decided to not fix the flat in case I woke anyone in the house (bedroom backs on to garage), the morning was beautiful, had to take No.1 daughter for a driving lesson then fixed flat and decided to head out at 1pm....Rode to Healsville, Yarra Glen and then home...it was cold, it rained, there was Hail, the wind on those country roads just did not abate at all. Finally the sun came out with 5mins to go and go figure stayed out for the next hour after I had finished....I love riding...75kM done and dusted (actually it was too wet for dust, more like mud)

Think I need to avoid some of the back roads I took, Edwards Road is just to narrow for my liking. Might try and head from Yarra Glen to Paton Hill next week, might pack my shoe boots for the ride.

It wasnt a pleasant arvo yesterday. You must be out my way by the looks of your route.

Its back on the bike for me next week, I ran a pb for 10km this morning at 58:47 which is a whole 5:32 faster than last years Run Melbourne, I am very hapy but a little sore also

Hi all...very seriously thinking about attempting ATBD this year, never done before, would be looking at the 210km option (clockwise, as the other direction appears to be sold out). I'm comfortable riding distances up to about 80km currently, probably averaging around the 25km/h mark for flat rides, and definitely keen to ensure I put in at least 200km a week every week from now until the event. But I haven't had any luck finding anyone to train with, which would definitely be a huge plus. If there's anyone on here that has or knows of any teams willing to take on new members at this late stage, that'd be great. I'm in Hawthorn but happy to ride pretty much anywhere.

wizdofaus wrote:Hi all...very seriously thinking about attempting ATBD this year, never done before, would be looking at the 210km option (clockwise, as the other direction appears to be sold out). I'm comfortable riding distances up to about 80km currently, probably averaging around the 25km/h mark for flat rides, and definitely keen to ensure I put in at least 200km a week every week from now until the event. But I haven't had any luck finding anyone to train with, which would definitely be a huge plus. If there's anyone on here that has or knows of any teams willing to take on new members at this late stage, that'd be great. I'm in Hawthorn but happy to ride pretty much anywhere.

Thanks!

Dylan

THIS would be your local cycling club.Perhaps contact them and I'm sure they'd be happy to pickup another member...this way you'll have plenty of people to ride and train with.

I just recently joined my local club - cost was $77 to join Cycling Australia (as a Silver Ride member) and you affiliate yourself to your club of choice (usually your local club)...but the HCC will be able to give you all the info you need.One benefit of joining CyclingAus is that you get 24/7 cycling insurance (should you get injured whilst riding).THIS might be interesting reading for you.

And good luck with the training for the ATB.I am attempting my first ATB this year as well (210km) and the more km's we can get into our legs beforehand, the better we'll cope on the day.Also, on the longer rides don't forget to plan your nutrition/hydration and test these on your training rides so you know what works for you and at what intervals you need to eat and drink to keep your energy levels up.

And please post your progress. I'm sure we can all encourage and keep each other going over the next few months in our training and preparation - and bounce ideas, suggestions etc off each other.

Yeah I've contacted Hawthorn Cycling club, haven't heard back yet, might have to call them.I did find a couple of local bunch rides to join, so that should be good. But I'm still only 75% sure I'm actually going to sign up at this point...

my usual 62km saturday ride with 380m of climbing and then I will ride from my place out east to eltham........ via edithvale and the city. All up 117km so close to 180km for the weekend which should be a great build up for the 250km ABD

wizdofaus wrote:Yeah I've contacted Hawthorn Cycling club, haven't heard back yet, might have to call them.I did find a couple of local bunch rides to join, so that should be good. But I'm still only 75% sure I'm actually going to sign up at this point...

You'll love it. From what you've said, you can manage the distance. Making the commitment will get you out on the bike more often and you will get km into the legs.

Last year the clockwise option had 35kmh tail wind in from geelong. We struggled into it that morning (going anti) and that night was discussing it with another guy who went clockwise - he was cruising at 45kmh all the way home.

I've signed up for the 210km, anticlockwise. I rode in the BUPA challenge at the TDU in January and there was a couple of food/drink stops and a few toilet stops which were all quite well patronised.Is there refreshment stops along the way around our Bay?If not I'll take a backpack, but the less I start my journey with will be better for me.

Hi Dave,rest stops every 25km. first time we did it we made the mistake of stopping at every single one (almost) as we weren't sure how we would go and were trying to pace ourselves-didn't need them all!

Thanks for that tip, it'll make it a bit easier not having to take to much stuff. I usually ride 60km around to Black Rock and back so we might stop at every other one. I'm riding with my Brother in Law and he's stronger than me so we can use the stops as rendezvous points.I'll be easy to recognise as I'll be the bloke with the blue jersey on!

adrian_d wrote:Hey all,I am looking at joining the 100km ride but I only have a Triathlon bike with aero bars. I couldn't see any restrictions on the terms and conditions except that it had to be a standard bicycle.

I did that one last year, Adrian.

All kinds of bikes ... twins on unicycles, recumbents, and I was passed by three guys on a tandem thing that was blaring dub music!

adrian_d wrote:Hey all,I am looking at joining the 100km ride but I only have a Triathlon bike with aero bars. I couldn't see any restrictions on the terms and conditions except that it had to be a standard bicycle.

I did that one last year, Adrian.

All kinds of bikes ... twins on unicycles, recumbents, and I was passed by three guys on a tandem thing that was blaring dub music!

Your ride may not be eccentric enough!

Thanks for that mate. I may have to add 2 sets of arm rests to really shake things up a bit and be unique haha.

I'm wondering if it would be strange to use a TT helmet for the event? It would match in well with my TT bike haha

I did my 62km yesterday in the rain and experimented with my food, by not having any. Well that was a mistake as the last 20km was hard work, especially being wet and increasingly cold. My times blew out and I know I am a bit slower in the rain but there was no drive in the legs, so moral of the story, stick to having the gel after an hour

So I cleaned the bike yesterday, got my food and drink together and washed and dried my kit for today but after looking at the forecast, the radar and outside my window decided 5 odd hours riding to a mates place where I would be attending a 1st birthday soaking wet wasnt my idea of fun so I gave it a miss.

I am now trying to negotiate another sunday leave pass with the boss in the next few weeks to make up for it

I find the earlier you get out the harder it is at the start, but there's less chance of procrastinating. Alarm rings, get up, shower, get into riding gear and get pedalling.If it's early enough permission is assured as you'l likely be back before normal weekend things have got going.I also like to do my bike prep the night before and that gives me less time to think about how cold it might be.